As the song came to a close, Jenna clapped generously as the woman stepped off the stage and made her way over to the bar. She secured her loose strands of hair behind her ear before looking around, suddenly feeling very out of place. Lots of love seemed to be in the air, which she found quite heartwarming. She'd never carved out any time in her life for a love interest. Her parents nagged her very often about grandchildren, but she'd always reply that she was too busy with work and aiming for the next promotion. Being around so many people in love felt like compensation for the lack of it in her own life. So, she smiled.
Then, she was approached by a beautiful young woman that she turned to give her attention. She listened carefully, her smile growing a bit bigger as the woman subtly implied that Jenna appeared to be out of her comfort zone. She'd be correct, but Jenna wasn't nervous. All of her nerves were more tied to taking time for herself, and much less on actually being here or singing. Being in marketing has pretty much extinguished her public anxiety.
As the woman finished up, Jenna nodded. "I appreciate that. Actually, I did come here with the intention to sing a little song of my own. And I've gained some inspiration from the current atmosphere on the beach." She said with a smile, approaching the stage. She mounted the stage as elegant and graceful as a swan and made her way to the microphone, grabbing it with both hands and looking out at the crowd. "This one's for all the lovebirds out there. Hope I don't sound too off-key." She joked, giggling a bit. "I'm sure you're all familiar with this one. It's My Heart Will Go On, by Céline Dion."
Once the music started, she prepared her voice and picked a good distance from the microphone. Then, she begun.
"Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on"
Her voice was soft but sustained. Unsurprisingly, she wasn't some expert singer, but she could carry a tune. She was a better-than-average singer, but nothing remarkable.
"Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
She took the break in between the chorus and the next verse to clear her throat away from the microphone. It was already clear, but she had perfectionist tendencies and wanted to be sure.
"Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go 'til we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I'd hold to
In my life, we'll always go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
Now, she prepared herself for the end of the instrumental break and the key change.
"You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on"
Her voice was stronger now than it had been previously, closing her eyes to really let her body feel the music.
"We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
As the music played itself out, she bowed her head and got down off the stage just as elegantly as she'd got on, walking across the sand and claiming a cushion around the bonfire before starting to make a s'more for herself.
Then, she was approached by a beautiful young woman that she turned to give her attention. She listened carefully, her smile growing a bit bigger as the woman subtly implied that Jenna appeared to be out of her comfort zone. She'd be correct, but Jenna wasn't nervous. All of her nerves were more tied to taking time for herself, and much less on actually being here or singing. Being in marketing has pretty much extinguished her public anxiety.
As the woman finished up, Jenna nodded. "I appreciate that. Actually, I did come here with the intention to sing a little song of my own. And I've gained some inspiration from the current atmosphere on the beach." She said with a smile, approaching the stage. She mounted the stage as elegant and graceful as a swan and made her way to the microphone, grabbing it with both hands and looking out at the crowd. "This one's for all the lovebirds out there. Hope I don't sound too off-key." She joked, giggling a bit. "I'm sure you're all familiar with this one. It's My Heart Will Go On, by Céline Dion."
Once the music started, she prepared her voice and picked a good distance from the microphone. Then, she begun.
"Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on"
Her voice was soft but sustained. Unsurprisingly, she wasn't some expert singer, but she could carry a tune. She was a better-than-average singer, but nothing remarkable.
"Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
She took the break in between the chorus and the next verse to clear her throat away from the microphone. It was already clear, but she had perfectionist tendencies and wanted to be sure.
"Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go 'til we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I'd hold to
In my life, we'll always go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
Now, she prepared herself for the end of the instrumental break and the key change.
"You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on"
Her voice was stronger now than it had been previously, closing her eyes to really let her body feel the music.
"We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
As the music played itself out, she bowed her head and got down off the stage just as elegantly as she'd got on, walking across the sand and claiming a cushion around the bonfire before starting to make a s'more for herself.
Victoria didn’t answer right away. She stood there barefoot in the sand, the fire behind her catching along the strands of her dark hair like it might try to claim her, and she let Meph see her.
Not the poised aristocrat or the calculated survivor. Her.
Her hands cupped his face as his words unfurled, and she stared into him like she was searching the caverns of an ancient cathedral. Something about his question had hit her like a bell rung in the marrow of her bones. “Because I dreamed you before I ever knew you.”
Her voice was low. Fierce. Certain. “For years, I had these dreams. Always the same shape. A man with a warrior’s body and storm-colored eyes. Sometimes you were in armor. Sometimes rags. Sometimes bleeding, sometimes weeping, sometimes laughing in a way that cracked the sky.” Her thumb traced his cheekbone slowly. “But always you.”
She let out a slow breath. It came out shaky. This wasn’t a story she told. “The first time I heard your name outside of sleep, I was seventeen. A priest whispered it in Latin during a funeral I wasn’t supposed to attend. I nearly passed out.” Her lips quirked bitterly. “You haunted me before we ever touched.”
Victoria didn’t care if it sounded impossible. It was impossible. And yet here he was. The impossible, in flesh and shadow, his chest still rising heavy from grief.
She reached for his hand and placed it over her heart. It beat steady beneath his palm. “I don’t think we were just fated.” Her voice had gone quieter now. “I think we remembered. The way gravity remembers stars.”
She kissed his fingers, slow and reverent. “I don’t know what this world will ask of us. Or what we’ll have to become, but if the gods keep dragging you back…” her eyes glinted with firelight, “then I will keep finding you. Every. Damn. Time.”
And with that, she folded into his arms again, not because she needed shelter, but because he did.
Not the poised aristocrat or the calculated survivor. Her.
Her hands cupped his face as his words unfurled, and she stared into him like she was searching the caverns of an ancient cathedral. Something about his question had hit her like a bell rung in the marrow of her bones. “Because I dreamed you before I ever knew you.”
Her voice was low. Fierce. Certain. “For years, I had these dreams. Always the same shape. A man with a warrior’s body and storm-colored eyes. Sometimes you were in armor. Sometimes rags. Sometimes bleeding, sometimes weeping, sometimes laughing in a way that cracked the sky.” Her thumb traced his cheekbone slowly. “But always you.”
She let out a slow breath. It came out shaky. This wasn’t a story she told. “The first time I heard your name outside of sleep, I was seventeen. A priest whispered it in Latin during a funeral I wasn’t supposed to attend. I nearly passed out.” Her lips quirked bitterly. “You haunted me before we ever touched.”
Victoria didn’t care if it sounded impossible. It was impossible. And yet here he was. The impossible, in flesh and shadow, his chest still rising heavy from grief.
She reached for his hand and placed it over her heart. It beat steady beneath his palm. “I don’t think we were just fated.” Her voice had gone quieter now. “I think we remembered. The way gravity remembers stars.”
She kissed his fingers, slow and reverent. “I don’t know what this world will ask of us. Or what we’ll have to become, but if the gods keep dragging you back…” her eyes glinted with firelight, “then I will keep finding you. Every. Damn. Time.”
And with that, she folded into his arms again, not because she needed shelter, but because he did.
Kali stood quietly in the sand as Jenna sang, arms folded lightly beneath her chest, firelight flickering across her features. She didn’t say anything during the performance. She didn’t need to. Her posture, her stillness, said plenty.
When Jenna’s voice wavered during the high notes, Kali didn’t wince. When it steadied and found its place, she smiled softly to herself. There was something deeply honest about the whole thing. Jenna didn’t sing like she wanted attention. She sang like someone reclaiming a little piece of herself.
When the final note faded into the crackle of the bonfire, Kali clapped. Not politely or out of obligation, but fully with open palms. Warm and real.
She waited until Jenna had settled by the fire before making her way over. Barefoot and glowing under a halo of starlight, she crouched gracefully near her.
“You surprised me up there,” she said gently, her voice full of warmth. “Not because you sang that song, because you let it mean something. That was brave.”
She didn’t want to linger long enough to make Jenna uncomfortable, just long enough for the compliment to land sincerely. She gave a soft nod of respect and turned, making her way closer to the the fire. If Jenna wanted to talk, she was close enough to hear her, but if she didn’t, Kali was far enough away to not cause Jenna any pressure.
When Jenna’s voice wavered during the high notes, Kali didn’t wince. When it steadied and found its place, she smiled softly to herself. There was something deeply honest about the whole thing. Jenna didn’t sing like she wanted attention. She sang like someone reclaiming a little piece of herself.
When the final note faded into the crackle of the bonfire, Kali clapped. Not politely or out of obligation, but fully with open palms. Warm and real.
She waited until Jenna had settled by the fire before making her way over. Barefoot and glowing under a halo of starlight, she crouched gracefully near her.
“You surprised me up there,” she said gently, her voice full of warmth. “Not because you sang that song, because you let it mean something. That was brave.”
She didn’t want to linger long enough to make Jenna uncomfortable, just long enough for the compliment to land sincerely. She gave a soft nod of respect and turned, making her way closer to the the fire. If Jenna wanted to talk, she was close enough to hear her, but if she didn’t, Kali was far enough away to not cause Jenna any pressure.
As Marionne was served her margarita, she turned to see a woman approach...
Marionne smiled. "Thanks... my head went somewhere and that just came out." She was going to introduce herself, but it was clear the woman was being a social butterfly and so Marionne gave her a nod before she walked off.
Turning her glass around as it sat on the coaster, she watched a
Marionne sipped her drink and listened intently to a woman in a light white dress get on stage to sing. Hearing the first notes, she turned and watched her as she worked her way through Céline Dion's 'It's My Heart Will Go On. Beautifully done with good mic discipline when she cleared her throat.
"That was lovely!" Marionne called out from the bar as she clapped along with some others. Picking up her drink, she walked over toward the bonfire. Marionne thought the woman had a bit of familiarity... like some CEO she saw on the cover of a business magazine or something. She wasn't sure if sitting down by her and making a smore would be cutting into her personal space or not, but her thoughts were broken when she saw the woman who had come by to talk with her briefly. She looked familiar too ... since she went over to the bonfire, Marionne continued her steps through the sand and got down to sit.
"Hi..." Marionne said, letting it flow to them both. "Smores is a really good idea, but I'm not sure they will mix with margaritas too well." Seeing the woman closer in the firelight, Marionne remembered where she saw her ... a demo disk with a press release from one of the record company managers. Marionne hadn't yet given it a listen, and would make a point to do so when she went into the station Monday night.
Meeting Kali
Kali Keys wrote:
First, the woman emerging from the stage like a storm that had just spent itself, curls wild, skirt swaying, voice still lingering in the crowd’s chest like smoke. Kali approached her first, weaving easily through the bodies with bare feet and a presence like gravity. “Hey.” She caught Marionne’s eye. “That was fierce and honest and gutsy as hell. You didn’t just sing that, you lived it on stage, in front of strangers. That takes real fire.”
She extended her hand, sincere. “I’m Kali. I don’t know you, but I’m really glad you showed up.”
She extended her hand, sincere. “I’m Kali. I don’t know you, but I’m really glad you showed up.”
Marionne smiled. "Thanks... my head went somewhere and that just came out." She was going to introduce herself, but it was clear the woman was being a social butterfly and so Marionne gave her a nod before she walked off.
Turning her glass around as it sat on the coaster, she watched a
Listening to Jenna Lim
Jenna Lim wrote:
As the song came to a close, Jenna clapped generously as the woman stepped off the stage and made her way over to the bar. She secured her loose strands of hair behind her ear before looking around, suddenly feeling very out of place. Lots of love seemed to be in the air, which she found quite heartwarming. She'd never carved out any time in her life for a love interest. Her parents nagged her very often about grandchildren, but she'd always reply that she was too busy with work and aiming for the next promotion. Being around so many people in love felt like compensation for the lack of it in her own life. So, she smiled.
Then, she was approached by a beautiful young woman that she turned to give her attention. She listened carefully, her smile growing a bit bigger as the woman subtly implied that Jenna appeared to be out of her comfort zone. She'd be correct, but Jenna wasn't nervous. All of her nerves were more tied to taking time for herself, and much less on actually being here or singing. Being in marketing has pretty much extinguished her public anxiety.
As the woman finished up, Jenna nodded. "I appreciate that. Actually, I did come here with the intention to sing a little song of my own. And I've gained some inspiration from the current atmosphere on the beach." She said with a smile, approaching the stage. She mounted the stage as elegant and graceful as a swan and made her way to the microphone, grabbing it with both hands and looking out at the crowd. "This one's for all the lovebirds out there. Hope I don't sound too off-key." She joked, giggling a bit. "I'm sure you're all familiar with this one. It's My Heart Will Go On, by Céline Dion."
Once the music started, she prepared her voice and picked a good distance from the microphone. Then, she begun.
"Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on"
Her voice was soft but sustained. Unsurprisingly, she wasn't some expert singer, but she could carry a tune. She was a better-than-average singer, but nothing remarkable.
"Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
She took the break in between the chorus and the next verse to clear her throat away from the microphone. It was already clear, but she had perfectionist tendencies and wanted to be sure.
"Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go 'til we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I'd hold to
In my life, we'll always go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
Now, she prepared herself for the end of the instrumental break and the key change.
"You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on"
Her voice was stronger now than it had been previously, closing her eyes to really let her body feel the music.
"We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
As the music played itself out, she bowed her head and got down off the stage just as elegantly as she'd got on, walking across the sand and claiming a cushion around the bonfire before starting to make a s'more for herself.
Then, she was approached by a beautiful young woman that she turned to give her attention. She listened carefully, her smile growing a bit bigger as the woman subtly implied that Jenna appeared to be out of her comfort zone. She'd be correct, but Jenna wasn't nervous. All of her nerves were more tied to taking time for herself, and much less on actually being here or singing. Being in marketing has pretty much extinguished her public anxiety.
As the woman finished up, Jenna nodded. "I appreciate that. Actually, I did come here with the intention to sing a little song of my own. And I've gained some inspiration from the current atmosphere on the beach." She said with a smile, approaching the stage. She mounted the stage as elegant and graceful as a swan and made her way to the microphone, grabbing it with both hands and looking out at the crowd. "This one's for all the lovebirds out there. Hope I don't sound too off-key." She joked, giggling a bit. "I'm sure you're all familiar with this one. It's My Heart Will Go On, by Céline Dion."
Once the music started, she prepared her voice and picked a good distance from the microphone. Then, she begun.
"Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on"
Her voice was soft but sustained. Unsurprisingly, she wasn't some expert singer, but she could carry a tune. She was a better-than-average singer, but nothing remarkable.
"Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
She took the break in between the chorus and the next verse to clear her throat away from the microphone. It was already clear, but she had perfectionist tendencies and wanted to be sure.
"Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go 'til we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I'd hold to
In my life, we'll always go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
Now, she prepared herself for the end of the instrumental break and the key change.
"You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on"
Her voice was stronger now than it had been previously, closing her eyes to really let her body feel the music.
"We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
As the music played itself out, she bowed her head and got down off the stage just as elegantly as she'd got on, walking across the sand and claiming a cushion around the bonfire before starting to make a s'more for herself.
Marionne sipped her drink and listened intently to a woman in a light white dress get on stage to sing. Hearing the first notes, she turned and watched her as she worked her way through Céline Dion's 'It's My Heart Will Go On. Beautifully done with good mic discipline when she cleared her throat.
"That was lovely!" Marionne called out from the bar as she clapped along with some others. Picking up her drink, she walked over toward the bonfire. Marionne thought the woman had a bit of familiarity... like some CEO she saw on the cover of a business magazine or something. She wasn't sure if sitting down by her and making a smore would be cutting into her personal space or not, but her thoughts were broken when she saw the woman who had come by to talk with her briefly. She looked familiar too ... since she went over to the bonfire, Marionne continued her steps through the sand and got down to sit.
"Hi..." Marionne said, letting it flow to them both. "Smores is a really good idea, but I'm not sure they will mix with margaritas too well." Seeing the woman closer in the firelight, Marionne remembered where she saw her ... a demo disk with a press release from one of the record company managers. Marionne hadn't yet given it a listen, and would make a point to do so when she went into the station Monday night.
He heard Ellen calling for him and before he could turn around, he felt her hand close around two of his fingers and tug on him a little. He stopped walking and lifted his head enough to look in her direction. She seemed taken aback by his suggestion of them dating. He didn’t want to hear about how she just wasn’t in to him ’like that’. It was the same thing he had heard a million times, no need for a million and one. He had every intension to pull his fingers out of her grip so he could get his board so he could disappear back out into the waves and leave this bad decision behind. Then he noticed her tears.
He hadn’t been listening to her – rather he didn’t want to hear the excuses. ’You’re such a great guy, you’ll find someone who deserves you.’ Well, he hadn’t found anyone, and he was completely convinced it just wasn’t meant to happen for him. It was a good thing he had a commercial grade chef’s kitchen to go lose himself in. Her tears caught his attention, but she was laughing at him while she cried.
She let go of his fingers and sat down on the sand. He was going to walk away, assuming she had said all she needed to for her goodbye to him, but her statement ’We’re both so silly,’ caught his curiosity and he continued to stand there in the sand next to where she flopped herself down. His eyebrows pulled together as he looked over his shoulder at her when she bizarrely accepted his invitation to be his girlfriend. Did he just miss a few pages of a bloody story?
He crouched down next to Ellen. He didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes fixed on the sea. He breathed out through his nose audibly as he considered what happened between them. When he started, his voice was low and sorrowful. “I’m sorry if I didn’t handle suggesting that we slow down very well. It wasn’t meant to be taken as a rejection. Which is why I invited you to pause where the moment was leading us and go with me to me boat. We could have talked and continued, if that was what fancied us.” He swallowed, feeling hollow inside. “But the moment I asked to stop you ran away from me.”
He turned to look at her. His eyes were kind but far away. “Your instincts told ya ta run from me.” He went back to gazing out at the water. “Maybe ya need some time ta think about it?” He shrugged a little, coming up with a solution. “I usually surf in the evenings. If ya decide ya want to see me again, just come out on the beach. I’ll be watchin’ and I’ll see ya if your there.” His tone wasn’t dismissive, but it was detached. He thought Ellen had only been caught up in the moment of the night and didn’t actually have any lasting interest in him.
He hadn’t been listening to her – rather he didn’t want to hear the excuses. ’You’re such a great guy, you’ll find someone who deserves you.’ Well, he hadn’t found anyone, and he was completely convinced it just wasn’t meant to happen for him. It was a good thing he had a commercial grade chef’s kitchen to go lose himself in. Her tears caught his attention, but she was laughing at him while she cried.
She let go of his fingers and sat down on the sand. He was going to walk away, assuming she had said all she needed to for her goodbye to him, but her statement ’We’re both so silly,’ caught his curiosity and he continued to stand there in the sand next to where she flopped herself down. His eyebrows pulled together as he looked over his shoulder at her when she bizarrely accepted his invitation to be his girlfriend. Did he just miss a few pages of a bloody story?
He crouched down next to Ellen. He didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes fixed on the sea. He breathed out through his nose audibly as he considered what happened between them. When he started, his voice was low and sorrowful. “I’m sorry if I didn’t handle suggesting that we slow down very well. It wasn’t meant to be taken as a rejection. Which is why I invited you to pause where the moment was leading us and go with me to me boat. We could have talked and continued, if that was what fancied us.” He swallowed, feeling hollow inside. “But the moment I asked to stop you ran away from me.”
He turned to look at her. His eyes were kind but far away. “Your instincts told ya ta run from me.” He went back to gazing out at the water. “Maybe ya need some time ta think about it?” He shrugged a little, coming up with a solution. “I usually surf in the evenings. If ya decide ya want to see me again, just come out on the beach. I’ll be watchin’ and I’ll see ya if your there.” His tone wasn’t dismissive, but it was detached. He thought Ellen had only been caught up in the moment of the night and didn’t actually have any lasting interest in him.
Meph was raw. Her testimonial had stripped him of any armor he thought he wore and any walls he had built to protect himself. She had dreamed of him. Why? His arms hovered around her waist, still touching her but giving her the space she needed to convey her story of her dreams…about….him.
Meph never had fancy armor fitting for a knight. He had forged and scrounged for items he could use to protect himself in battle. Most of his attempt at armor had been leather and offered little protection when it came to arrows and blades. He had always worn rags, that was fitting for sure. He bled a lot, too. He had never left a battle where he didn’t need to stitch himself up afterwards. Weeping. Yes. After he would perform the small surgeries on himself, he would shed tears for the slain as he dug their graves. But it made him cock his head a little when she said he laughed. He never recalled laughing. He never had much to laugh about. Unless the laughing she spoke of was when he was particularly out of control on the battlefield – those laughs certainly would have been disturbing.
A funeral in Latin? He had never received a funeral before to his knowledge. He was usually left where he fell on the battlefield – food for the crows and forgotten by the ones able to keep their lives. He didn’t say anything aloud about her realizations that he was the one she dreamed of. But he wanted to hear more.
As she kissed his fingers he smiled softly and answered her question. His voice was low, intended only for her. “I am to follow my fated path, Victoria. I will run into danger and one day, I will not emerge. If you have known me before you will understand that is my destiny.”
When she put her arms around him, he didn’t resist. He needed her embrace and closeness. He needed her faith in his goodness, and he needed her love to get him through his loneliness. “Will you sing for me before we go home?”
He wanted nothing more than to pick her brain. He wanted to hear her stories and compare the shadows of her memories with his own. But first, he wanted to put the spotlight on her. He wanted to hear what her heart would give him in the form of a song.
Meph never had fancy armor fitting for a knight. He had forged and scrounged for items he could use to protect himself in battle. Most of his attempt at armor had been leather and offered little protection when it came to arrows and blades. He had always worn rags, that was fitting for sure. He bled a lot, too. He had never left a battle where he didn’t need to stitch himself up afterwards. Weeping. Yes. After he would perform the small surgeries on himself, he would shed tears for the slain as he dug their graves. But it made him cock his head a little when she said he laughed. He never recalled laughing. He never had much to laugh about. Unless the laughing she spoke of was when he was particularly out of control on the battlefield – those laughs certainly would have been disturbing.
A funeral in Latin? He had never received a funeral before to his knowledge. He was usually left where he fell on the battlefield – food for the crows and forgotten by the ones able to keep their lives. He didn’t say anything aloud about her realizations that he was the one she dreamed of. But he wanted to hear more.
As she kissed his fingers he smiled softly and answered her question. His voice was low, intended only for her. “I am to follow my fated path, Victoria. I will run into danger and one day, I will not emerge. If you have known me before you will understand that is my destiny.”
When she put her arms around him, he didn’t resist. He needed her embrace and closeness. He needed her faith in his goodness, and he needed her love to get him through his loneliness. “Will you sing for me before we go home?”
He wanted nothing more than to pick her brain. He wanted to hear her stories and compare the shadows of her memories with his own. But first, he wanted to put the spotlight on her. He wanted to hear what her heart would give him in the form of a song.
His face was so sad as he looked at her that it almost broke her heart, he had been so joyous, so full of strength, energy, and joie-de-vive, somehow she had driven a wedge between them. It had all been going so well.
Stupid, stupid Ellen..."
He just stood looking sad and impassive as she let him go and sat on the sand, she had said her piece, made her embarrassing statement and put her heart out there. Her heart had gone from elation and uncontrolled beating to one beat-per-minute. She would accept whatever he said, whatever he decided, she had made enough of a fool of herself for tonight.
She looked up to where he still stood, the breakers crashing in lapped at her feet, her breath came in a staccato of sobs. She bit her lip to stop from wailing out loud as he said he'd be at the beach most nights surfing, she doubted he would, she had upset him and she doubted he ever wanted to see her again. He looked so deadpan now, his voice detached, so cold. She'd been too impulsive and driven him away, perhaps her one true chance at happiness.
She watched as he turned away and cried, her tears dripped down her ruddy cheeks into an uncaring ocean which lapped and eddied around her. She stifled her sobbing with her dress so he wouldn't hear the moment that her heart broke.
Well done Ellen... This... This is why you're single... No man wants you... You're a wreck...
Stupid, stupid Ellen..."
He just stood looking sad and impassive as she let him go and sat on the sand, she had said her piece, made her embarrassing statement and put her heart out there. Her heart had gone from elation and uncontrolled beating to one beat-per-minute. She would accept whatever he said, whatever he decided, she had made enough of a fool of herself for tonight.
She looked up to where he still stood, the breakers crashing in lapped at her feet, her breath came in a staccato of sobs. She bit her lip to stop from wailing out loud as he said he'd be at the beach most nights surfing, she doubted he would, she had upset him and she doubted he ever wanted to see her again. He looked so deadpan now, his voice detached, so cold. She'd been too impulsive and driven him away, perhaps her one true chance at happiness.
She watched as he turned away and cried, her tears dripped down her ruddy cheeks into an uncaring ocean which lapped and eddied around her. She stifled her sobbing with her dress so he wouldn't hear the moment that her heart broke.
Well done Ellen... This... This is why you're single... No man wants you... You're a wreck...
Her silence spoke volumes to him. The quiet instilled what he had feared – she had dismissed him. Still crouching next to her, he closed his eyes as he gave himself another thirty seconds before he walked away. In was in these seconds, his eyes closed, that he heard her sobbing. She was trying to hide it clearly. They sounded muffled. He debated with himself. Should he leave her to cry? But why would she be crying if wanted him to go?
His eyes opened and he lowered himself onto the sand in front of her. He was on his side facing her, his hip, side, and one of his elbows against the sand. He reached out and placed one of his large, warm hands on her knee. “Ellen,” he said softly. “Ya act like I dumped ya when I was tryin’ ta find a way to get ya ta come back to me.” He sighed softly as he analyzed the situation. “It seems neither one of us think very highly of ourselves when it comes to relationships. You’re shoving me away as I am asking you to dinner. And I assuming you can’t wait for me to leave while you are cryin’ your eyes out.”
He jostled her knee lightly with his hand. “What do we do here, Ellen?” He looked at her inquiringly. “Not half an hour ago you were telling me to put a ring on it. So, I thought I would start with dinner. Can we have an answer to that question? Please? Ellen, will ya have dinner with me?”
His eyes opened and he lowered himself onto the sand in front of her. He was on his side facing her, his hip, side, and one of his elbows against the sand. He reached out and placed one of his large, warm hands on her knee. “Ellen,” he said softly. “Ya act like I dumped ya when I was tryin’ ta find a way to get ya ta come back to me.” He sighed softly as he analyzed the situation. “It seems neither one of us think very highly of ourselves when it comes to relationships. You’re shoving me away as I am asking you to dinner. And I assuming you can’t wait for me to leave while you are cryin’ your eyes out.”
He jostled her knee lightly with his hand. “What do we do here, Ellen?” He looked at her inquiringly. “Not half an hour ago you were telling me to put a ring on it. So, I thought I would start with dinner. Can we have an answer to that question? Please? Ellen, will ya have dinner with me?”
Ellen's dainty body shook as she held her pretty sundress to her face, muffling the sound of her blubbing. The water lapped around her in and out, stroking her fair skin, she wished it would just sweep her away. How could she walk past everyone now? She had made a complete exhibition of herself, what would Kali think!?
She pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in them, wrapping her arms around her legs, ready to stay sat in the sea until everyone left.
Then she heard a noise, she looked up and saw Vic had returned, settled and lay supine next to her, seemingly uncaring that the water washed around him. He looked so amazing, like some kind of waterborne god.
His tone was soft, the harsh edges dropped, just soothing. She tried to answer him, but her voice came out as an ugly sobbing hiccup. She rocked as he nudged her with his knee, then nodded as he mentioned her silly performance, swallowing hard she tried to speak as the tears and emotion washed over her.
"I... I really like you... I-I-I *hic* I thought... I came on... *hic* Too fast... That you..." She stretched her legs and looked at her feet, wiggling her little toes in the surf, her voice hesitant. "Well... I thought... You tried... To stop... Because I was... Slutty..." Her face was a total mess now, mascara ran down her cheeks and her eyes were puffy and red. She raised her dress and wiped her tears away with it.
"I... Totally embarrassed myself... I... I don't have much l-l-luck *hic* Luck in love at all Vic... I'm... Just Kali's plain and slightly odd friend."
She bit her bottom lip and cast her eyes down, anxious, embarrassed and at her most vulnerable. She twisted her dress in her little hands as she spoke now.
"I... I'd love to have dinner with you though."
She pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in them, wrapping her arms around her legs, ready to stay sat in the sea until everyone left.
Then she heard a noise, she looked up and saw Vic had returned, settled and lay supine next to her, seemingly uncaring that the water washed around him. He looked so amazing, like some kind of waterborne god.
His tone was soft, the harsh edges dropped, just soothing. She tried to answer him, but her voice came out as an ugly sobbing hiccup. She rocked as he nudged her with his knee, then nodded as he mentioned her silly performance, swallowing hard she tried to speak as the tears and emotion washed over her.
"I... I really like you... I-I-I *hic* I thought... I came on... *hic* Too fast... That you..." She stretched her legs and looked at her feet, wiggling her little toes in the surf, her voice hesitant. "Well... I thought... You tried... To stop... Because I was... Slutty..." Her face was a total mess now, mascara ran down her cheeks and her eyes were puffy and red. She raised her dress and wiped her tears away with it.
"I... Totally embarrassed myself... I... I don't have much l-l-luck *hic* Luck in love at all Vic... I'm... Just Kali's plain and slightly odd friend."
She bit her bottom lip and cast her eyes down, anxious, embarrassed and at her most vulnerable. She twisted her dress in her little hands as she spoke now.
"I... I'd love to have dinner with you though."
Victor listened to her words this time. Through the tears and the hiccups, he listened. He shook his head when she called herself slutty and thought that was his perception of her. Victor stayed in his prone position, his elbow sinking in the sand as he held his head up. The waves rushed in passed his body and then back out, causing the sand to move beneath him, but still he stayed and listened.
He jostled her knee again, “Ellen. Love isn’t too keen on me, neither. Only experienced it once and that was forever ago.” He gave her a genuine smile, “I don’t think you are a slut or too fast or that ya came on too strong.” He chuckled softly, “I think it surprised both of us that we seemed to like each other. Maybe even scared us both a little.” He took in a deep breath, letting his chest fill before letting out a yawn. “Sorry ‘bout that. I’m usually up in the wee hours and the night’s catching up on me.”
He didn’t want her to feel like he didn’t like her. That was probably something he should say to her and maybe she would hear it this time. “Ellen,” he said as his hand caressed her knee again. “I really like ya, too. You wanna meet tomorra for dinner? I can cook or take ya some place we can chat.” He looked at her with a note of seriousness, “Point is, I am trying to get ya ta understand that tonight was great and I want it to continue. Ya okay with that?”
He jostled her knee again, “Ellen. Love isn’t too keen on me, neither. Only experienced it once and that was forever ago.” He gave her a genuine smile, “I don’t think you are a slut or too fast or that ya came on too strong.” He chuckled softly, “I think it surprised both of us that we seemed to like each other. Maybe even scared us both a little.” He took in a deep breath, letting his chest fill before letting out a yawn. “Sorry ‘bout that. I’m usually up in the wee hours and the night’s catching up on me.”
He didn’t want her to feel like he didn’t like her. That was probably something he should say to her and maybe she would hear it this time. “Ellen,” he said as his hand caressed her knee again. “I really like ya, too. You wanna meet tomorra for dinner? I can cook or take ya some place we can chat.” He looked at her with a note of seriousness, “Point is, I am trying to get ya ta understand that tonight was great and I want it to continue. Ya okay with that?”
Victoria’s fingers flexed against his back, anchoring herself in the gravity of him. Meph’s voice, low and raw, had stripped away every barrier between them. She had seen him brutal and bloodied, patient and quiet, but nothing compared to this. She now saw his soul turned inside out and offered to her with trembling hands.
Her eyes lifted to meet his, stormy and searching. “Yes,” she said, simple and certain. A vow more than an answer.
She leaned up, brushed her lips against his jaw then slipped from his embrace like smoke. No backward glance. No hesitation. She knew he would follow her with his eyes. He always did.
The garnet-red silk of her dress shimmered as she moved through the firelight. It clung to her body with effortless grace, the slit at her thigh revealing just enough to tease and remind the world she was no one’s soft thing. Her hair tumbled around her bare shoulders in windswept waves, catching the glow.
When she reached the karaoke screen, her fingers hovered, then typed. “I’ve Been Waiting for You,” Amanda Seyfried.
Yes, that one.
The lights on stage shifted as Victoria stepped into place. No intro. No announcement. Just a barefoot woman in a wine-colored dress standing in the center of the universe.
The opening chords trickled in like memory. She lifted the mic and sang.
“I, I have known love before
I thought it would no more
Take on a new direction…”
Her voice was low. Sultry. Built for midnight confessions and things that didn’t need to be spoken. She didn’t try to make it pretty. She made it real, and she only sang to one man.
“Still, strange as it seems to be
You brought it back to me
That old feeling I’d known…”
As the chorus crept in, her voice rose with it. Not grandiose, but certain. This wasn’t a performance. This was memory. This was soul recognition given melody.
“I’ve been waiting for you
It’s been so long, I knew just what I would do
When I heard your song…”
And hadn’t she waited? Through centuries she couldn’t recall? In dreams that left the taste of fire and iron on her tongue? This wasn’t romance. It was truth.
“My heart’s been waiting too…
I’ve been waiting for you…”
She let the last note linger like smoke. Honest. Bare. A revelation, not a finale.
Victoria lowered the mic. Walked off the stage like it was an altar she’d just lit with her bare hands. No showmanship. No applause-seeking. Just her, moving back down the beach in garnet silk and shadows.
When she reached Meph, she didn’t speak. She just kissed him like they had done this a thousand lifetimes before. And would again.
Her eyes lifted to meet his, stormy and searching. “Yes,” she said, simple and certain. A vow more than an answer.
She leaned up, brushed her lips against his jaw then slipped from his embrace like smoke. No backward glance. No hesitation. She knew he would follow her with his eyes. He always did.
The garnet-red silk of her dress shimmered as she moved through the firelight. It clung to her body with effortless grace, the slit at her thigh revealing just enough to tease and remind the world she was no one’s soft thing. Her hair tumbled around her bare shoulders in windswept waves, catching the glow.
When she reached the karaoke screen, her fingers hovered, then typed. “I’ve Been Waiting for You,” Amanda Seyfried.
Yes, that one.
The lights on stage shifted as Victoria stepped into place. No intro. No announcement. Just a barefoot woman in a wine-colored dress standing in the center of the universe.
The opening chords trickled in like memory. She lifted the mic and sang.
“I, I have known love before
I thought it would no more
Take on a new direction…”
Her voice was low. Sultry. Built for midnight confessions and things that didn’t need to be spoken. She didn’t try to make it pretty. She made it real, and she only sang to one man.
“Still, strange as it seems to be
You brought it back to me
That old feeling I’d known…”
As the chorus crept in, her voice rose with it. Not grandiose, but certain. This wasn’t a performance. This was memory. This was soul recognition given melody.
“I’ve been waiting for you
It’s been so long, I knew just what I would do
When I heard your song…”
And hadn’t she waited? Through centuries she couldn’t recall? In dreams that left the taste of fire and iron on her tongue? This wasn’t romance. It was truth.
“My heart’s been waiting too…
I’ve been waiting for you…”
She let the last note linger like smoke. Honest. Bare. A revelation, not a finale.
Victoria lowered the mic. Walked off the stage like it was an altar she’d just lit with her bare hands. No showmanship. No applause-seeking. Just her, moving back down the beach in garnet silk and shadows.
When she reached Meph, she didn’t speak. She just kissed him like they had done this a thousand lifetimes before. And would again.
He just listened as she blubbed her way through her explanation, laying her soul bare - if he still got up and left afterwards well at least she'd been honest.
But he didn't. He just lay there, listening, his eyes searching hers as the tide washed around them both, when she had finished Ellen put her hands in the water and washed her face, then breathed deeply. He just playfully nudged her again and smiled, sincerely this time, it made his eyes glow and Ellen couldn't help but admire him.
Her admiration grew as he spoke of failed love, that he didn't think she was slutty, just speaking of the power of the emotions that had carried them both off on a whirlwind.
At that moment a song Ellen didn't know came on, but the lyrics spoke to her and she smiled, looking over to see if she knew the singer. The voice singing it was low, sultry, slightly husky. She looked back at Vic and caught him yawning, he apologised but she waved it off, her voice was low and soft, a little drawn from her crying, she reached out and stroked his arm.
"It is getting late, I should help Kali with the wind-down. I'd love dinner with you though, I could meet you tomorrow night after work. Say seven? I'll wait by the bar?"
She decided to be daring again.
"I-I-I I'd like if you kissed me again though..."
But he didn't. He just lay there, listening, his eyes searching hers as the tide washed around them both, when she had finished Ellen put her hands in the water and washed her face, then breathed deeply. He just playfully nudged her again and smiled, sincerely this time, it made his eyes glow and Ellen couldn't help but admire him.
Her admiration grew as he spoke of failed love, that he didn't think she was slutty, just speaking of the power of the emotions that had carried them both off on a whirlwind.
At that moment a song Ellen didn't know came on, but the lyrics spoke to her and she smiled, looking over to see if she knew the singer. The voice singing it was low, sultry, slightly husky. She looked back at Vic and caught him yawning, he apologised but she waved it off, her voice was low and soft, a little drawn from her crying, she reached out and stroked his arm.
"It is getting late, I should help Kali with the wind-down. I'd love dinner with you though, I could meet you tomorrow night after work. Say seven? I'll wait by the bar?"
She decided to be daring again.
"I-I-I I'd like if you kissed me again though..."
Meph let Victoria leave his side, knowing she was going to do what he wished of her – to sing. He stayed in the shadows, close enough to listen without straining but still hidden from any watching eyes. His eyes never left her form, following every step she took like a hunter ready to unleash an arrow into their prey. He watched her with hungry, consuming eyes. He was a lost soul, and she had tied her life to his to ground him and give him relief from his existence of torture.
When she began to sing, he smiled gently to himself. It was a song he knew. It was from a musical they had seen together in the early stages of their relationship. Their first date had been a ballet, their second date had been an obstacle course at the fire academy, and after that it had just been one long, never-ending date. They frequented the theater often together, never missing an opportunity to hold each other in a darkened theater as the pure energy of the music, the stories, the songs flooded around them. It was powerful stuff.
He didn’t sing along, though he knew every word. He wouldn’t dare take away from her moment that she gave to him so completely. He leaned against a surfboard someone had stuck in the ground as he watched Victoria on the stage. He, no longer the hunter, but a forlorn and lovestruck Romeo just waiting for his Juliet to notice him from across the crowded party.
When she came towards him, he stepped back deeper into the shadows. He took her into his arms and kissed her back. It was like he had been holding his breath between when she left him and when she returned. He was only complete when she was near. He held her like he was protecting her as their embrace muted every Hollywood screen embrace.
“Take me home?” He wanted to be alone with her now. Alone in the glow of their fireplace on the plush blanket with nothing separating them but air. “It is time I hear some of your stories.” His words he soft, intimate, and meant for only her. Perhaps she was his Valkyrie, the one he had been waiting for since his first death. In the telling of her memories, perhaps such things will be discovered.
When she began to sing, he smiled gently to himself. It was a song he knew. It was from a musical they had seen together in the early stages of their relationship. Their first date had been a ballet, their second date had been an obstacle course at the fire academy, and after that it had just been one long, never-ending date. They frequented the theater often together, never missing an opportunity to hold each other in a darkened theater as the pure energy of the music, the stories, the songs flooded around them. It was powerful stuff.
He didn’t sing along, though he knew every word. He wouldn’t dare take away from her moment that she gave to him so completely. He leaned against a surfboard someone had stuck in the ground as he watched Victoria on the stage. He, no longer the hunter, but a forlorn and lovestruck Romeo just waiting for his Juliet to notice him from across the crowded party.
When she came towards him, he stepped back deeper into the shadows. He took her into his arms and kissed her back. It was like he had been holding his breath between when she left him and when she returned. He was only complete when she was near. He held her like he was protecting her as their embrace muted every Hollywood screen embrace.
“Take me home?” He wanted to be alone with her now. Alone in the glow of their fireplace on the plush blanket with nothing separating them but air. “It is time I hear some of your stories.” His words he soft, intimate, and meant for only her. Perhaps she was his Valkyrie, the one he had been waiting for since his first death. In the telling of her memories, perhaps such things will be discovered.
Victor saw the sadness fade out of Ellen’s eyes as she smiled at him. He lost her attention for a few breaths as she looked over her shoulder and towards the stage. The song was too dramatic for Victor. He was all about a good sea shanty or tune with some pep. This was a very deep song that he didn’t completely understand. He had never pined or been pined after. Perhaps it took understanding love to connect to a song like that.
Ellen turned back to him and finally accepted his invitation to dinner. “Tomorra. Seven, sharp. By the bar. Dress comfortably, you got no one to impress but me.” He grinned puckishly, “And I’m already pretty damn impress by ya.” He had every intension of sitting up but his elbow was buried up to his forearm and bicep in the quicksand thanks to the flowing tide.
He had to put a little fight into the extraction of his arm from the sand. It took more than a minute of him tugging and pulling, the sand was not ready to let him go. Finally, with an amount of force that nearly toppled him over the opposite direction, the sand’s suction was released, and his arm came free. “There’s a devil livin’ in this sand. I swear to ya.”
When Ellen asked him to kiss her again, he grinned happily. Even though he was covered in sand and soaking wet from the waves battering his back as they talked, he propped himself up on his knees and on all fours, crawled towards Ellen.
If she allowed, Victor would crawl on top of Ellen, causing her to lie back on the sand as he lowered himself onto her. His mouth found hers and delivered a kiss that took them back out in the calm sea, before the misunderstanding and the almost fight. This was just them. Hot. Fervent. Hungry. He kissed her like he was boarding a ship to take him away from her and he wasn’t holding anything back.
Ellen turned back to him and finally accepted his invitation to dinner. “Tomorra. Seven, sharp. By the bar. Dress comfortably, you got no one to impress but me.” He grinned puckishly, “And I’m already pretty damn impress by ya.” He had every intension of sitting up but his elbow was buried up to his forearm and bicep in the quicksand thanks to the flowing tide.
He had to put a little fight into the extraction of his arm from the sand. It took more than a minute of him tugging and pulling, the sand was not ready to let him go. Finally, with an amount of force that nearly toppled him over the opposite direction, the sand’s suction was released, and his arm came free. “There’s a devil livin’ in this sand. I swear to ya.”
When Ellen asked him to kiss her again, he grinned happily. Even though he was covered in sand and soaking wet from the waves battering his back as they talked, he propped himself up on his knees and on all fours, crawled towards Ellen.
If she allowed, Victor would crawl on top of Ellen, causing her to lie back on the sand as he lowered himself onto her. His mouth found hers and delivered a kiss that took them back out in the calm sea, before the misunderstanding and the almost fight. This was just them. Hot. Fervent. Hungry. He kissed her like he was boarding a ship to take him away from her and he wasn’t holding anything back.
Beaming as he confirmed what she had said about meeting, Ellen giggled as he said to wear something "comfortable" tomorrow. Most of her clothes were comfortable, so she would dress for the weather as she always did. Then he told her how impressed he was by her and she hugged herself nervously, not used to taking compliments, she just lowered her eyes slightly as she self-soothed, but her smile was beaming.
She watched curiously as Vic tried to sit up and found his arm had stuck into the sand due to the tide and softness it had acted like quicksand and Ellen couldn't help but laugh. Her laughter was light, high and sweet as she giggled at his antics, until finally with a wet sucking sound he pulled himself free going over on his back in the surf.
"You're so funny Vic." She smiled, but her eyes weren't mocking, they only showed adoration and fondness of the awkward giant.
Then he grinned and crawled towards her through the tide, his legs straddling hers as he crawled up her like some kind of predator. She slowly lay down as he moved up her until she was lay flat on her back, her hands up and either side of her shoulders, submissive and surrendering herself completely to him, part - no most of her wanted him to pin her wrists in his massive hands and hold her down as he kissed her, like a fiery pirate king.
"I yield sir, you have my unconditional surrender." She said quietly as she looked into his deep dreamy eyes, her voice hardly above a whisper, her soft breath on his neck.
He kissed her then, like he meant it. Her lips parted as he invaded, completely submitting herself to him, her chest heaving as her pulse raced. His mouth ferociously, kissing and his tongue dancing with hers. Ellen yielded and let him take her away, hers eyes closed as they passionately embraced mouth to mouth in the rising breakers.
She watched curiously as Vic tried to sit up and found his arm had stuck into the sand due to the tide and softness it had acted like quicksand and Ellen couldn't help but laugh. Her laughter was light, high and sweet as she giggled at his antics, until finally with a wet sucking sound he pulled himself free going over on his back in the surf.
"You're so funny Vic." She smiled, but her eyes weren't mocking, they only showed adoration and fondness of the awkward giant.
Then he grinned and crawled towards her through the tide, his legs straddling hers as he crawled up her like some kind of predator. She slowly lay down as he moved up her until she was lay flat on her back, her hands up and either side of her shoulders, submissive and surrendering herself completely to him, part - no most of her wanted him to pin her wrists in his massive hands and hold her down as he kissed her, like a fiery pirate king.
"I yield sir, you have my unconditional surrender." She said quietly as she looked into his deep dreamy eyes, her voice hardly above a whisper, her soft breath on his neck.
He kissed her then, like he meant it. Her lips parted as he invaded, completely submitting herself to him, her chest heaving as her pulse raced. His mouth ferociously, kissing and his tongue dancing with hers. Ellen yielded and let him take her away, hers eyes closed as they passionately embraced mouth to mouth in the rising breakers.
Marionne finished her drink and set the glass down in the sand. She picked up a small twig and flung it in the fire and watched it flare up for a few seconds.
She then stood up and brushed her butt off. She turned to Jenn and smiled as she excused herself, and then said to Kali. "Thanks for allowing me to use your karaoke set up. Have a nice rest of the night!"
Marionne then walked away from the firelight and faded away into the shadows of the night She had to get to the station for her midnight show.
(This concludes Marionne's participation in this Summer Soirée. It was fun!)
She then stood up and brushed her butt off. She turned to Jenn and smiled as she excused herself, and then said to Kali. "Thanks for allowing me to use your karaoke set up. Have a nice rest of the night!"
Marionne then walked away from the firelight and faded away into the shadows of the night She had to get to the station for her midnight show.
(This concludes Marionne's participation in this Summer Soirée. It was fun!)
Kali felt a bit of sadness as she watched Marionne leave. The sense that this beautiful night was coming to an end filled her as she looked around at the few remaining souls.
The night had been exactly as she had hoped. People had put their hearts on display for everyone to see/hear. Tears had been shed, romances started, and commitments made. Pasts were presented and futures had been planned.
What a beautiful experience. Tomorrow she’d be back on the tour bus trying to figure out what exactly she and Tyler were or weren’t.
(I’ve closed the event, but two more characters are entering.)
The night had been exactly as she had hoped. People had put their hearts on display for everyone to see/hear. Tears had been shed, romances started, and commitments made. Pasts were presented and futures had been planned.
What a beautiful experience. Tomorrow she’d be back on the tour bus trying to figure out what exactly she and Tyler were or weren’t.
(I’ve closed the event, but two more characters are entering.)
Victoria felt Meph’s arms before she saw his face, those arms that had once broken men now holding her like something holy. His mouth found hers in a kiss that didn’t ask. It claimed, and she let it.
For a long moment, she didn’t move or even breathe. She just let herself exist in the space between his inhale and her exhale. She had sung the truth, and he had heard it. She didn’t need to ask.
When he whispered, “Take me home?”her eyes flickered up to his.
There was no hesitation. No teasing grin. Just a slow, silent nod.
Her fingers brushed along the line of his jaw, then slid down to rest against his chest, where his heart thundered beneath muscle and memory.
“It’s time,” she agreed softly, voice velvet and firelight. “You gave me your soul tonight. I’ll trade you stories for it.”
She stepped back just enough to take his hand. Their fingers threaded together like they had never belonged anywhere else.
The party still roared behind them, but she barely heard it. The stars spilled across the ocean. The sand cooled beneath their feet. And Meph, her storm, her soldier, her myth, was beside her.
Victoria didn’t lead him.
She walked with him.
Side by side.
Home.
For a long moment, she didn’t move or even breathe. She just let herself exist in the space between his inhale and her exhale. She had sung the truth, and he had heard it. She didn’t need to ask.
When he whispered, “Take me home?”her eyes flickered up to his.
There was no hesitation. No teasing grin. Just a slow, silent nod.
Her fingers brushed along the line of his jaw, then slid down to rest against his chest, where his heart thundered beneath muscle and memory.
“It’s time,” she agreed softly, voice velvet and firelight. “You gave me your soul tonight. I’ll trade you stories for it.”
She stepped back just enough to take his hand. Their fingers threaded together like they had never belonged anywhere else.
The party still roared behind them, but she barely heard it. The stars spilled across the ocean. The sand cooled beneath their feet. And Meph, her storm, her soldier, her myth, was beside her.
Victoria didn’t lead him.
She walked with him.
Side by side.
Home.
The party bus she had rented for the night rolled down the beach road as the driver looked for the The Drift. The outside of the bus was covered in multi-colored LED lights that flashed and rotated colors in sync with the bass beats of the music, muted to the outside world, but must have been raucous inside the bus. It was ‘dance’ style music. Made to be overly upbeat with the intention to make you want to move and drink, which was exactly what the group inside the bus was doing.
Neriah had been down on her luck lately. She had rented a party bus hoping that she would find other people, like herself, that just needed a damn good time. She had found a few guys but no women yet, which was disappointing to her. She preferred the company of women, but men would do for a good time. Especially, this one total hunk she had picked up at a pirate themed bar looking particularly gloomy. Seems all he needed was a good shagging and he perked right up.
She adjusted her – was it lingerie or clothing? Who cared! She looked fabulous and was getting the exact kind of attention she was after. She didn’t want a fairytale. She didn’t want forever. She wanted something hot, sensual, and preferably female. Men were awesome for a quicky, but she wanted to savor a beauty.
She strutted into the gathering like a model gliding down a runway. However, her manner didn’t read ‘Don’t touch’. Quite the contrary, her manner resembled something closer to a neon sign reading ‘Come and Get It!’. From the thong bottoms that left her ass fully exposed. To the ‘f- me’ pumps that added a few inches to her height and showed off the lean muscles of her legs. To the expression on her face that screamed, ‘I want to be kissed!’ Neriah exuded sex and an openness to a good time – even if only for a few minutes or hours.
As Neriah passed by a particularly gorgeous woman (Kali) and gave her a look that was vibrant with desire. Neriah licked her swollen lips as she looked the pop star up and down shamelessly. Neriah knew exactly who this woman was. They had actually just listened to one of her songs on the way over. Now Neriah’s brain buzzed with a desire to seduce.
She noticed one was on the stage and wasted no time making her way through the crowd as she had every intention of having all eyes on her. She found her song and made her selection. She was handed a mic and took center stage.
“Go on, go on
Leave me breathless…”
Neriah was ready to put on a show that complimented every word of this song. It was one of her favorites and always made her happy. Though she preformed for all, her eyes lingered on Kali.
” Come on (come on)
Yeah, yeah...”
As an interlude of music played Neriah danced like she was center stage at a burlesque show, rather than on a karaoke stage next to a dive bar.
”The daylight's fading slowly
But time with you is standing still
I'm waiting for you only
The slightest touch and I feel weak…”
She extended her arm in Kali’s direction and pointed right at her as she sang.
”I cannot lie
From you I cannot hide
And I'm losing the will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it)
Can't fight it (can't fight it)
So go on, go on
Come on, leave me breathless…”
She ran a wanting hand down the center of her body. Her hand tripping playfully between her barely covered breasts, down her exposed torso and down to her scantily clad hips and beyond. This was meant for Kali but that was when her toy on the bus caught her eye as well. The next chorus was semi-divined between the two.
”Tempt me, tease me
Until I can't deny this
Loving feeling (loving feeling)
Make me long for your kiss
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Yeah, come on, yeah…”
She sang the rest of the song in the same calling manner. She desired one she wasn’t sure if she could have and another she had already had but wouldn’t mind having again – for tonight, at least.
”And if there's no tomorrow
And all we have is here and now
I'm happy just to have you
You're all the love I need somehow
It's like a dream
Although I'm not asleep
And I never want to wake up
Don't lose it (don't lose it)
Don't leave it (don't leave it)
So go on, go on
Come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me
Until I can't deny this
Loving feeling
Make me long for your kiss
Go on, go on
Yeah, come on (come on)
And I can't lie
From you I cannot hide
And I've lost my will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it)
Can't fight it (can't fight it)
So go on (go on), go on (go on)
Come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me
Until I can't deny this
Loving feeling (loving feeling)
Make me long for your kiss
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Come on, leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Come on, leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Come on, leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on, go on!”
When the song was over, she waited for the applause, the attention, and to see if she had inspired either of her targets to come and get her.
Neriah had been down on her luck lately. She had rented a party bus hoping that she would find other people, like herself, that just needed a damn good time. She had found a few guys but no women yet, which was disappointing to her. She preferred the company of women, but men would do for a good time. Especially, this one total hunk she had picked up at a pirate themed bar looking particularly gloomy. Seems all he needed was a good shagging and he perked right up.
She adjusted her – was it lingerie or clothing? Who cared! She looked fabulous and was getting the exact kind of attention she was after. She didn’t want a fairytale. She didn’t want forever. She wanted something hot, sensual, and preferably female. Men were awesome for a quicky, but she wanted to savor a beauty.
She strutted into the gathering like a model gliding down a runway. However, her manner didn’t read ‘Don’t touch’. Quite the contrary, her manner resembled something closer to a neon sign reading ‘Come and Get It!’. From the thong bottoms that left her ass fully exposed. To the ‘f- me’ pumps that added a few inches to her height and showed off the lean muscles of her legs. To the expression on her face that screamed, ‘I want to be kissed!’ Neriah exuded sex and an openness to a good time – even if only for a few minutes or hours.
As Neriah passed by a particularly gorgeous woman (Kali) and gave her a look that was vibrant with desire. Neriah licked her swollen lips as she looked the pop star up and down shamelessly. Neriah knew exactly who this woman was. They had actually just listened to one of her songs on the way over. Now Neriah’s brain buzzed with a desire to seduce.
She noticed one was on the stage and wasted no time making her way through the crowd as she had every intention of having all eyes on her. She found her song and made her selection. She was handed a mic and took center stage.
“Go on, go on
Leave me breathless…”
Neriah was ready to put on a show that complimented every word of this song. It was one of her favorites and always made her happy. Though she preformed for all, her eyes lingered on Kali.
” Come on (come on)
Yeah, yeah...”
As an interlude of music played Neriah danced like she was center stage at a burlesque show, rather than on a karaoke stage next to a dive bar.
”The daylight's fading slowly
But time with you is standing still
I'm waiting for you only
The slightest touch and I feel weak…”
She extended her arm in Kali’s direction and pointed right at her as she sang.
”I cannot lie
From you I cannot hide
And I'm losing the will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it)
Can't fight it (can't fight it)
So go on, go on
Come on, leave me breathless…”
She ran a wanting hand down the center of her body. Her hand tripping playfully between her barely covered breasts, down her exposed torso and down to her scantily clad hips and beyond. This was meant for Kali but that was when her toy on the bus caught her eye as well. The next chorus was semi-divined between the two.
”Tempt me, tease me
Until I can't deny this
Loving feeling (loving feeling)
Make me long for your kiss
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Yeah, come on, yeah…”
She sang the rest of the song in the same calling manner. She desired one she wasn’t sure if she could have and another she had already had but wouldn’t mind having again – for tonight, at least.
”And if there's no tomorrow
And all we have is here and now
I'm happy just to have you
You're all the love I need somehow
It's like a dream
Although I'm not asleep
And I never want to wake up
Don't lose it (don't lose it)
Don't leave it (don't leave it)
So go on, go on
Come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me
Until I can't deny this
Loving feeling
Make me long for your kiss
Go on, go on
Yeah, come on (come on)
And I can't lie
From you I cannot hide
And I've lost my will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it)
Can't fight it (can't fight it)
So go on (go on), go on (go on)
Come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me
Until I can't deny this
Loving feeling (loving feeling)
Make me long for your kiss
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Come on, leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Come on, leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Come on, leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
Go on, go on!”
When the song was over, she waited for the applause, the attention, and to see if she had inspired either of her targets to come and get her.
Jax wasn’t the brooding type. Not really. He didn’t do long sulks or sad songs on a loop. Women came, women went, and he took the ride and kept on moving. But this one? She’d slipped past his guard when he wasn’t looking, and left a mark. And now he was sitting at a pirate-themed bar nursing a glass of rum and debating whether he should get drunk or just disappear.
Then she walked in. Hot-as-sin and dressed to ruin a man’s peace, she slid into his orbit like she belonged there. A few drinks, a couple of wild rounds against any flat surface they could find, and a bottle of whiskey later, Jax had remembered exactly who the hell he was. Her name was Neriah. He liked the way it felt on his tongue.
Somehow, that turned into a party bus invitation, and like a man with nothing better to do, he climbed aboard. The crowd didn’t matter. Someone he recognized waved at him, but he barely glanced up. His focus was locked in: curves, chaos, and another pour of liquor. Until the bus lurched to a stop and he followed Neriah out into something that looked like a beachside karaoke bonfire from a fever dream.
He was down to just his shorts and the shoes he’d slipped on without thinking, sun-kissed skin stretched over muscle and tattoos that told stories he didn’t usually share. His bright blue eyes sparkled again. They were less weighed down, more curious about what came next. The party? Sure, it looked fun. But he wasn’t here for the party. He was here for the distraction.
Neriah wanted attention, and Jax? Well, he was more than willing to give it. As she made her way to the stage, his eyes never left her. Even the familiar scent that hit him, Victor was definitely nearby, only tugged a smirk out of him. Good to know a friend was close. But he wasn’t here for that either. He grabbed a drink and leaned against whatever was closest, watching Neriah perform. The music wasn’t the point. The way she moved was. Confidence in every sway, heat in her gaze when it finally landed on him. That was the spark that lit him up.
When the song ended, Jax didn’t hesitate. He moved through the crowd, stepped right up on that stage like it was built for him, and without a word, grabbed her by the waist and kissed her like she’d been begging for it. Not soft. Not sweet. Just heat and promise, raw and reckless. It wasn’t about romance. It was about right now.
Then it was his turn. He flipped through the song list, picked something he probably wouldn’t remember the lyrics to, and shot Neriah a grin that was all trouble. “Alright, gorgeous. Gonna need you up there with me. I’m depending on your fine ass to make me look good.”
And that, at least, was something Jax could count on: music, mischief, and the kind of woman who could burn the past off his skin, if only for a night. When the music started, and she began to open the song, he was moving against her, way too drunk to care. Then it was his turn. “Ooh (Timber), ooh (Timber)
Ooh (It's goin' down)
Ooh (Timber), ooh (Timber)
Ooh (It's goin' down, woo)”
And then Jax did the impossible, and started rapping. Shockingly well. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall
These big-iddy boys are dig-gidy dogs
I have 'em like Miley Cyrus, clothes off
Twerking in their bras and thongs, timber
Face down, booty up, timber
That's the way we like to–what?–timber
I'm slicker than an oil spill
She say she won't, but I bet she will, timber”
They went into the chorus together, and Jax couldn’t help but slap her ass when she presented it to the crowd, just to make it jiggle. “Swing your partner 'round and 'round
End of the night, it's going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it's going down
Swing your partner 'round and 'round
End of the night, it's going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it's going down”
When Neriah took over for her part, Jax reciprocated the dance with her, and he was a man well knowledgeable on the ways of making a woman look her best. He let himself flow and have fun until it was time for him to take over the second verse. “Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane
Nah, it's just me, ain't a damn thing changed
Live in hotels, swing on planes
Blessed to say, money ain't a thing
Club jumping like LeBron now, Volí
Order me another round, homie
We about to clown. Why? 'Cause it's about to go down!”
When they went back into the chorus for the second time, Jax got a little surprise he hadnt been expecting. “Swing your partner 'round and 'round
End of the night, it's going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it's going down
Swing your partner 'round and 'round
End of the night, it's going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it's going down.”
As they sang together, he hadn’t been expecting to feel her rubbing herself against him, but he definitely did not mind. As she took over again, he pressed against her subtly, letting her know he liked the affections she showed before he came back to finish the song with her. “It's going down (it's going down), I'm yelling timber
You better move, you better dance (you better dance)
Let's make a night (let's make a night) you won't remember
I'll be the one (I'll be the one) you won't forget (you won't forget)
Whoa (timber), whoa (timber), (hey), whoa (it's going down) (Pitbull)
Whoa (timber), whoa (timber), whoa (it's going down)
Whoa (timber), whoa (c'mon), whoa (it's going down)
Whoa (timber), whoa (you won't forget), whoa (timber)”
As the song came to a close, Jax’s hand wrapped around Neriah’s waist, pulled her to his side and whispered: “I am so getting us drinks.”
Then she walked in. Hot-as-sin and dressed to ruin a man’s peace, she slid into his orbit like she belonged there. A few drinks, a couple of wild rounds against any flat surface they could find, and a bottle of whiskey later, Jax had remembered exactly who the hell he was. Her name was Neriah. He liked the way it felt on his tongue.
Somehow, that turned into a party bus invitation, and like a man with nothing better to do, he climbed aboard. The crowd didn’t matter. Someone he recognized waved at him, but he barely glanced up. His focus was locked in: curves, chaos, and another pour of liquor. Until the bus lurched to a stop and he followed Neriah out into something that looked like a beachside karaoke bonfire from a fever dream.
He was down to just his shorts and the shoes he’d slipped on without thinking, sun-kissed skin stretched over muscle and tattoos that told stories he didn’t usually share. His bright blue eyes sparkled again. They were less weighed down, more curious about what came next. The party? Sure, it looked fun. But he wasn’t here for the party. He was here for the distraction.
Neriah wanted attention, and Jax? Well, he was more than willing to give it. As she made her way to the stage, his eyes never left her. Even the familiar scent that hit him, Victor was definitely nearby, only tugged a smirk out of him. Good to know a friend was close. But he wasn’t here for that either. He grabbed a drink and leaned against whatever was closest, watching Neriah perform. The music wasn’t the point. The way she moved was. Confidence in every sway, heat in her gaze when it finally landed on him. That was the spark that lit him up.
When the song ended, Jax didn’t hesitate. He moved through the crowd, stepped right up on that stage like it was built for him, and without a word, grabbed her by the waist and kissed her like she’d been begging for it. Not soft. Not sweet. Just heat and promise, raw and reckless. It wasn’t about romance. It was about right now.
Then it was his turn. He flipped through the song list, picked something he probably wouldn’t remember the lyrics to, and shot Neriah a grin that was all trouble. “Alright, gorgeous. Gonna need you up there with me. I’m depending on your fine ass to make me look good.”
And that, at least, was something Jax could count on: music, mischief, and the kind of woman who could burn the past off his skin, if only for a night. When the music started, and she began to open the song, he was moving against her, way too drunk to care. Then it was his turn. “Ooh (Timber), ooh (Timber)
Ooh (It's goin' down)
Ooh (Timber), ooh (Timber)
Ooh (It's goin' down, woo)”
And then Jax did the impossible, and started rapping. Shockingly well. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall
These big-iddy boys are dig-gidy dogs
I have 'em like Miley Cyrus, clothes off
Twerking in their bras and thongs, timber
Face down, booty up, timber
That's the way we like to–what?–timber
I'm slicker than an oil spill
She say she won't, but I bet she will, timber”
They went into the chorus together, and Jax couldn’t help but slap her ass when she presented it to the crowd, just to make it jiggle. “Swing your partner 'round and 'round
End of the night, it's going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it's going down
Swing your partner 'round and 'round
End of the night, it's going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it's going down”
When Neriah took over for her part, Jax reciprocated the dance with her, and he was a man well knowledgeable on the ways of making a woman look her best. He let himself flow and have fun until it was time for him to take over the second verse. “Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane
Nah, it's just me, ain't a damn thing changed
Live in hotels, swing on planes
Blessed to say, money ain't a thing
Club jumping like LeBron now, Volí
Order me another round, homie
We about to clown. Why? 'Cause it's about to go down!”
When they went back into the chorus for the second time, Jax got a little surprise he hadnt been expecting. “Swing your partner 'round and 'round
End of the night, it's going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it's going down
Swing your partner 'round and 'round
End of the night, it's going down
One more shot, another round
End of the night, it's going down.”
As they sang together, he hadn’t been expecting to feel her rubbing herself against him, but he definitely did not mind. As she took over again, he pressed against her subtly, letting her know he liked the affections she showed before he came back to finish the song with her. “It's going down (it's going down), I'm yelling timber
You better move, you better dance (you better dance)
Let's make a night (let's make a night) you won't remember
I'll be the one (I'll be the one) you won't forget (you won't forget)
Whoa (timber), whoa (timber), (hey), whoa (it's going down) (Pitbull)
Whoa (timber), whoa (timber), whoa (it's going down)
Whoa (timber), whoa (c'mon), whoa (it's going down)
Whoa (timber), whoa (you won't forget), whoa (timber)”
As the song came to a close, Jax’s hand wrapped around Neriah’s waist, pulled her to his side and whispered: “I am so getting us drinks.”
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